One of the most important aspects of nature journaling for me is sitting quietly in nature and noticing what's going on around me. Slowly, the details filter into my awareness. Then I sketch them on the journal page.
This page is from a quiet Friday afternoon when I sat in an empty camp and watched the animals while I sketched the scene in front of me.
I sat on a picnic table under a porch roof and noticed the flycatcher hunting from its perch on a fallen branch. Then I noticed so many darned houseflies swarming the area and heard a groundhog digging under the building behind me.
The breeze stirred in the trees, a Wood Thrush sang from the woods, other birds like the Ovenbird joined in. I sketched scenes from the hike I had just taken -- the fawn that had burst from the woods and crossed the trail in front of me; the green inchworm dangling over the trail from a gossamer thread.
While at the park, I spoke with Ranger Karter, who said that in an earlier job he had led a nature journaling program for kids. He would ask them to write lists of
1) what they heard,
2) what they smelled,
3) what they saw, and
4) what they felt.
That's a great way to immerse yourself in nature and slow down!
Nature journaling is a wonderful form of self care. It helps us to slow down and disconnect from the frenzied world of everyday life. It gives us time to reflect and be still in the moment. Sketching in nature, no matter how simple your sketch is, connects you with whatever you're sketching -- a peaceful tree, a curious bird, a beautiful flower. It brings these aspects deep into our minds and spirits -- luxurious gifts to ourselves.
Here are some of the things I saw on my hike. I hope you make a sketch or two from them, or better yet, go outside and make sketches from what you see there!
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